Pharmacists’ key role in liver health and disease prevention

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Pharmacists’ key role in liver health and disease prevention

Her leadership encompasses visionary support, development, and advocacy for FIP’s 144 member organizations, representing four million members globally. Dr. Duggan’s responsibilities include strategic planning and collaboration with international entities like WHO and the UN. Additionally, she chairs the World Professions Health Alliance, which advocates for 31 million health professionals across various disciplines, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, physiotherapy, and pharmacy. In this Q&A, Dr. Duggan will discuss the crucial role pharmacists play in liver health and the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice in this area. 

Overview and importance of pharmacists in liver health

Can you elaborate on the specific roles pharmacists can play in the prevention and management of liver diseases?

Community pharmacists are strategically positioned to make a significant contribution to liver health through public education, early detection, vaccination, medication management, lifestyle intervention, and collaborative care. For people who use intravenous drugs, pharmacists can provide clean needles and syringes to reduce the risk of hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections. Through their accessibility, expertise, frequent interactions with the public, and trusted relations with the community, pharmacists can help reduce the burden of liver disease and improve patient outcomes.

How do you see the role of community pharmacists evolving in response to the rising prevalence of liver conditions?

We see this role growing. For example, in tandem with more pharmacies being able to offer vaccination services, more pharmacists could offer hepatitis A vaccines. We can also play a part in promoting more self-care and preventive interventions among those most at risk, such as people who are obese, and people with type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

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